Snyder did not object to Shanahan's decision to bench starting QB Robert Griffin III to prevent injury, but sources close to the team say that it is financial considerations that have prevented him from firing the embattled head coach.

Multiple people close to the matter said Snyder has been unwilling so far to pay the full amount he would owe Shanahan and his coaching staff if he fired them.

The relationship between Snyder and Shanahan is believed to have deteriorated quickly since a report was released last weekend that said Shanahan had considered walking away from the team at the end of the 2012 season. Later in the week came accusations that the coach's benching of Griffin was intended to provoke his firing, so that he and his staff would receive the full remaining balances of their contracts, which would cost Snyder roughly $13 million.